TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Shaun Dion Hamilton’s short answer made it clear.
“No. Not at all,” the Alabama linebacker replied when asked if he was surprised by his performance in Alabama’s season opener against Florida State.
You’ll forgive Hamilton for not wanting to expand on his response right away. After all, the senior linebacker’s numbers did most of the talking for him. Hamilton was recognized as one of Alabama’s players of the week after leading the team with eight tackles, 3.5 for a loss, with a sack.
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While Hamilton isn’t shocked by his performance, it doesn’t make it any less impressive. Before last week’s game, the 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker’s last on-field memory was being helped off the field after tearing his ACL during last year’s SEC Championship Game.
The injury forced Hamilton to miss all of Alabama’s spring practice. Coincidently, it also factored into him being left off of the media’s preseason All-SEC team despite finishing fifth on the team with 64 tackles last season.
Hamilton’s displeasure with the snub was evident over social media. That only motivated the Montgomery, Ala., native to train that much hard this offseason.
“I worked my butt off to get back,” Hamilton said. “I had a pretty good training camp, so I had all the confidence in the world so everybody can see. They can stop asking me if I’m ready to play or not.”
In fact, heading into the season, Hamilton said he felt “better than ever,” claiming he is even faster now than before the injury.
“I actually came back more explosive according to the stats from that little GPS thing I wore,” Hamilton said earlier this offseason of the tracking device Alabama backs use to measure their speed during practice.
While Hamilton couldn’t remember the exact speed he registered, he stated, “I know for a fact it showed me coming back faster.”
Alabama will need every bit of that speed moving forward. Although, the senior’s leadership might be his biggest attribute in the coming weeks. Alabama lost four linebackers over the weekend, as Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis suffered season-ending injuries while Rashaan Evans and Anfernee Jennings also picked up “significant injuries.”
That leaves Hamilton as the lone returning starter at linebacker heading into Saturday’s game against Fresno State.
“Well, it definitely sucks with two guys going down, but like I said before we just rebuild,” Hamilton said. “Next guy’s up. All the guys who get recruited here are top guys, so it’s time for them to grow up.”
Hamilton said he has reached out to both Miller and Lewis, reminding them to keep their spirits up and not to “waste a day with the rehab process.” More importantly for Alabama’s immediate success, the senior has also stepped up as a vocal leader for the Crimson Tide’s younger linebackers, encouraging them to come to him for questions and advice.
“Well, you know, ever since I got hurt I’ve always preached to guys that you never know when your name is going to get called,” Hamilton said. “So here is a clear view of what I said. I always tell those young guys, ‘You’ve got to be ready.’ So, now, they’ve got their opportunity. What are they going to do with it? I am excited to see what they’re going to do.”
Alabama will hold its home opener Saturday at 2:30 p.m. inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
